I’m just back from a whirlwind trip to NY for a 40+ Blogger meet-up organized by Sylvia at 40+ Style.
I was able to rub elbows with some of the movers and shakers of the 40+ Blogger and art scene.
We were invited to a special screening of the Fabulous Fashionistas which stars the charming, funny and hugely talented Sue Kreitzman. If you’ve seen the movie you know it is about women and aging. Not just any women. These women do not lament the fact that they are aging, they embrace it beautifully.
Needless to say I was delighted to meet Sue.
Basically I want to be her when I grow up.
Of course I’m sure Sue would tell me never to grow up.
Personally I’m scared of growing old.
Seeing all these women (Sylvia and I were the youngest in attendance) was a kick in the butt. It doesn’t all end after a certain age. These women were living proof.
Inspiring, creative, vibrant, visible women, each supporting one another. Positive female power filled the room with electric energy. Each woman a dazzling comet, leaving a rainbow of colours and star dust in their wake. It was invigorating to the point that I felt a little breathless.
Jean Betancourt, Malcah Zeldis and Debra Rapport are a few of the spectacular women I met that day. Each a walking tableau with a lifetime of stories and escapades behind them but still filled with ambition and desires for the future. They hadn’t thrown in the towel. They were just getting started. The possibilities were endless.
Meeting such fierce females refusing to allow age to dictate their lives turned on a faucet of hope inside me which slowly began to fill my body with optimism. Contrary to what we’ve been told all our lives as women, maybe, just maybe, the second half of our lives is a fresh opportunity. We’ve made it this far. It isn’t the end of our dreams, but the beginning of new ones. The chance to change, discover, create, love, live.
As comets we are closer towards the end of our lives than the beginning, but we should be burning brighter and bolder using every drop of energy to remain vibrant, vital and dynamic.
The only person standing in our way is ourselves.
I wish I had taken more photos of that day but I was living in the moment, without social media or other distractions. You’ll just have to take my word that it was every bit as good as I’ve described.
To be continued…
I loved your statement “the only person standing in our way is ourselves” and I completely agree. Being cool and fabulous doesn’t end at any age it is just different then what we are used too. It sounds like a fabulous time was had by all! So awesome that you got to meet so many wonderful people than inspire us!
Rebecca
http://www.winnipegstyle.ca/Blog/default.cfm
How exciting! And how true. It’s like the consciousness-raising groups in the 60s – only without the anger.
Glad you had fun. We can’t do anything about growing older so, as you say, we may as well enjoy it.
Oh I am jealous! I love Sue “Don’t wear beige, it might kill you” Kreitzman.
You look fabulous together, your maxi dress is so vibrant and groovy. I bet she loved you and your style.
Good on you for living in the moment and not worrying about social media or photos. Your writing is so good that I’m happy just to read your account of what sounds like an amazing weekend. xxxx
Oh Suzanne that must have been amazing! What fun! I loved the movie Fabulous Fashionistas and was recently thinking of watching it again. Now I am definitely going to. xo
Nicely put, and a pleasure to meet you all!
So glad you had a good time!
What a lovely post! I was so happy to meet you and get to spend some time with you and all the other amazing women who live or came to nNew York, some of whom you mentioned above. There is a powerful connection between creativity, art and style in my mind and getting older often gives us the luxury of flaunting convention.
Accidental Icon
Great reflections. I too fear aging but recognize we can’t avoid it, short of an early departure. These women are indeed inspiring and worth knowing, for all the good reasons. xox
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip and was inspired by some amazing women!
Alice
http://www.happpinessatmidlife.com
Would love to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
What an amazing experience with a fabulous group of women. Most of the time, I’m okay with getting older, but there are those days…. Surrounding ourselves with such inspiration definitely helps!
Wonderfully written, Suzanne. You know I wish I could have been there but having you report back is the next best thing!
Wow that must be sooooo much fun!!!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Beautiful you in that great dress, Fabulous Fashionistas, Sue Kreitzman, and a trip to NYC – who cares about age with all that going on?! xxx
This is great… I have two years till I am officially in my 40’s… but, I never want to let everything go! That is a great quote!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I saw that you were having this fab time in New York. Cannot wait to hear more about it. Live in the moment without social media. So cool and very old school.
Me too. It’s not the number that I fear, it’s losing that energy that I used to have.
I’m so thrilled that this seems to have turned into a life affirming experience. It’s all too easy to fear getting older and I have to admit it grips me sometimes as I look at my parents who are both in their early 80s and are struggling with their health. But being part of, however small a part that I am, of this extraordinary blogging community of 40+ women has certainly made me feel stronger. I hope you’re feeling refreshed and empowered!
Wow. What an empowering thought your last paragraph shares. So excited to hear more about this trip.
So glad you were able to meet some of the amazing New York dames! I have yet to meet Sue, who I would love to be when I grow up too 😉 I remember coming home after meeting the New York gang for the first time, feeling so much more positive about being an over-50 woman, seeing what your 60’s and 70’s can look like if you take care of your body and your mind. Yes, there are lots of things we can’t control that happen, but I hope that I can continue to create, enjoy, write, inspire, engage, etc. until I drop (and wear fab outfits).
What a great summer you had from the west coast to the east coast!!
Fashion is fun and something we can enjoy no matter what age!
As for me, health is more important than age and I am thankful for good health!
Blessings of health and happiness!!
♥ carmen
Living in the moment and forgetting to take photos was good. You enjoyed yourself. Good on you. And yes I have seen the movie Fashionistas. As a matter of fact I bought the video.
Very inspiring women. I envy you for meeting them.
Greetje
What fun!! I love the enthusiasm these women have for celebrating life. Their fashion sense isn’t mine, but I agree about this being the best time of our lives!! Bravo you.
You looked on cloud nine. No wonder you didn’t take more photo’s! You were emersed in the experience and I would have done the same thing!
xxJennifer
http://www.awellstyledlife.com